Private becomes public(2)

However, "Deng's purpose was not to possess these works but to use them as firsthand materials for his research of ancient Chinese art history", says Beijing-based art critic Sun Wei.

"Deng was planning to write books about ancient art, including a history of ancient ink paintings. But his tragic experiences prevented this."

Deng Tuo's daughter Deng Xiaohong says: "Behind every piece there is a heart-wrenching story."

In 1964, Deng Tuo, then editor-in-chief of People's Daily, donated 145 paintings from his personal collection to the government, including Bamboo and Rocks.

In the early 1950s, an art dealer meant to sell the Bamboo and Rocks scroll to a foreign collector. Deng heard about the news and was very concerned.

"My father sold at least 14 other ancient ink paintings in his private collection to raise money to rescue the painting from the art dealer," the daughter recalls.

"I believe my father can rest in peace as the piece was later appraised as an authentic Su creation and is now considered to be one of the greatest treasures of the museum."

"The show, which occupies 10 exhibition halls, offers viewers not only a condensed history of Chinese ink painting, especially of the wenrenhua or literati painting genre, but also a glimpse of a modern Chinese intellectual's taste for classical Chinese arts," the museum's director Fan Di'an says.

Literati painters were greatly respected and their work was part of high culture in dynastic China, Fan explains.

The great literati painters wrote at length, advising on techniques for painting and calligraphy, forming influential schools of thinking.

Every succeeding generation of literati painters rekindled the spirit of their ancestors through their own works. The tradition continues to today and can be seen in City and Countryside: Ink Art by Contemporary Artists - another ongoing exhibition at the museum, Fan says.

Many excited visitors took photos to share their viewing experiences with friends back home or with netizens on micro blogs.